D&D 4E D&D 4e = Traveller: The New Era?

[sjmiller]

The "implied setting" of Traveller, from which the Third Imperium grew, was pretty intrusive from the beginning, and there was only one Official Traveller Universe most players gamed in (or something very much like it).

Actually, as someone who has played Traveller from its very early years (starting in 1979), I can tell you that the Third Imperium game setting was not part of the original set. As a matter of fact, there's no default setting in the basic Little Black Book boxed set. It wasn't until later, when lots of fans of the game system started bugging GDW about a setting, that they developed the whole setting that we know of today. You can ask Loren Wiseman over at Steve Jackson Games all about this. He was with GDW back when all this was happening.

 

[beholdsa]

Yes, but I am seeing a lot of similarities between D&D 4e and the new World of Darkness.

In fact, point for point the same things are true.

The result? WW don't seem to be crashing and burning.

So, all in all - it could go either way. Right?

Don't worry, Be happy!

Yeah, but the nWoD was a major improvement in flavor over the old one. Not so with Traveller TNE.

 

[Simia Saturnalia]

Yeah, but the nWoD was a major improvement in flavor over the old one. Not so with Traveller TNE.

Almost complete agreement (love W:tA flavor too much to ever accept W:tF), and the system changes (fixed difficulty, XP-based flaws instead of character point farming) was a big improvement as well, IMO.
/jack

 

[Wormwood]

Yeah, but the nWoD was a major improvement in flavor over the old one.

Well, flavor changes are always subjective.

The mechanics, however? Light-years improved.

edit: Damn you Simia---get out of my head!

 

[Mercule]

Almost complete agreement (love W:tA flavor too much to ever accept W:tF), and the system changes (fixed difficulty, XP-based flaws instead of character point farming) was a big improvement as well, IMO.
/jack

Interesting. Just to show you how subjective flavor is, Werewolf would be the game I found most improved. W:tA flavor pretty much left it the only oWoD game I wouldn't even consider playing again, whereas W:tF has me quite interested (though Mage will probably be the order of the day, if my group is ever willing to switch from D&D).

 

[Lurks-no-More]

Actually, as someone who has played Traveller from its very early years (starting in 1979), I can tell you that the Third Imperium game setting was not part of the original set. As a matter of fact, there's no default setting in the basic Little Black Book boxed set. It wasn't until later, when lots of fans of the game system started bugging GDW about a setting, that they developed the whole setting that we know of today. You can ask Loren Wiseman over at Steve Jackson Games all about this. He was with GDW back when all this was happening.

True, true; that's why I spoke of the implied setting from which the Third Imperium grew.

 

[Simia Saturnalia]

Interesting. Just to show you how subjective flavor is, Werewolf would be the game I found most improved. W:tA flavor pretty much left it the only oWoD game I wouldn't even consider playing again, whereas W:tF has me quite interested (though Mage will probably be the order of the day, if my group is ever willing to switch from D&D).

I admit there's a boatload of pointless :\ in the setting, but the basic premise of 'mystic viking blood opera against monsters from beyond madness and the most common of human horrors - and you're all completely screwed' appeals to me. I've got a re-design of the game with a lot of W:tF improvements on the back burner I pick up and stir now and then. But I'm afraid the Margrave's speech sells me on W:tA flavor forever.

Also, a better man than I - may he rest well - once said it simply and best. "Werewolf is furry Pendragon".

 

[Simia Saturnalia]

edit: Damn you Simia---get out of my head!

Yeah, you really don't want me in there. I'll wreck up the place.

 

[Wormwood]

Yeah, you really don't want me in there. I'll wreck up the place.

I dunno about that. Nice, quiet and roomy without a lot of clutter?

Kinda like like a zen garden with a bad haircut.

 

[billd91]

One thing about TNE, it was Traveller but with Twilight: 2000 applied to it. Post apocalyptic? Check. Change game mechanics? Check. Even more militarization of the setting, rules, and jargon? Check.

Trouble was, Twilight: 2000 already filled the post-apocalyptic niche and TNE no longer filled the niche Traveller (and Mega-) had filled. Plus, excellent 3rd party support dried up (Digest Group Publications didn't want to go where GDW was taking Traveller).